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T O P I C R E V I E W

Robert Pearlman

The Canadian Press reports that Canadian astronauts could be stuck on the ground for years following Chris Hadfield's mission in 2012.

NASA has an agreement to ship all Canadian astronauts up to the space station as long at it's in orbit, which is until at least 2020. Because it helped build the space station using the giant robotic Canadarms, Canada gets "credits" for trips to the space station.

That basically means it's able to send an astronaut with the Americans picking up the tab, under a barter system.

One small problem: Canada has no credits left after Hadfield's flight.

"We've used up all our credits for transport of Canadian astronauts to the International Space Station," Leclerc said. "We're trying to negotiate a flight before 2019, obviously."

The article goes on to mention CSA hopes to fly astronauts on U.S. commercial vehicles. They have ruled out buying a seat on Soyuz.

"It's not something we can afford," he said, adding that the going rate for a seat on a Soyuz is between $50 million and $60 million.

music_space

Sad news... I wonder what was the agreed cost in credits for a Canadian flight on the shuttle.

I'd also like to know which price they expect to pay to buy a seat with a U.S. commercial supplier...

Delta7

Did CSA get their statement in the mail from NASA, open it up and go "Whoah!"? Was there something in the fine print of the contract they weren't aware of? Will they get 20% off if they buy more credits before next Sunday?

It just seems odd to me that they would suddenly determine this. It's a multi-national space project, not the "Book-of-the-Month Club"! I must be missing something here, because it just seems like strangely poor planning for such a comprehensive program.

issman1

I assume that ESA and JAXA still have a good credit score? But it would be interesting to know which commercial carrier is the optimum choice for CSA.

Robert Pearlman

quote:Originally posted by Delta7:It just seems odd to me that they would suddenly determine this.

I would suggest it is the Canadian Press that just realized (i.e. reported) this, rather than the Canadian Space Agency being caught off guard.

quote:Originally posted by issman1:But it would be interesting to know which commercial carrier is the optimum choice for CSA.

My guess would be the one(s) that NASA chooses and which start offering their services first.

Hart Sastrowardoyo

"Hello, this is the International Space Station, Peggy speaking."

"Peggy?! This is Steve MacLean, Canadian Space Agency president. I have a question on credits."

Well, it's either that or MaxQ doing FreeCreditReport[dot]com, with regards to "ESA and JAXA still (having) a good credit score" (Chris Hadfield singing):

They say an astronaut is the pride of the nationSo why can't I go back to the International Space Station?It's all because some hacker stole my identityLeaving me Earthbound instead of zero-GShould'a gone to free credit report dot comNow I'm stuck here in northern KazahkstanThey monitor your credit and send you e-mail alertsSo you don't wait for a rocket ride, shivering in a yurt.

issman1

Perhaps Mr. Hadfield could play this on board ISS on behalf of Julie Payette, David Saint-Jacques and Jeremy Hansen.

alcyone

End of big, robust STS programme basically grounds Canadian astronauts. It is disappointing that after Expedition 34, Canadians won't be able to continue to fly on ISS, built with Canadian participation.

Current situation is a reminder of real politik nature of current space: no rockets, no rides into space. Canadians will have to wait until existing boosters get man-rated, and/or commercial space bears fruit.

I thought I had read somewhere that the ESA and Canadian Space Agency were considering co-funding with the Russian an additional Soyuz flight per year? I wish I could remember where I read it. I may be mistaken.

On edit: I found this article on Spaceflight Now regarding my comment on ESA-CSA Soyuz flights.

Delta7

Any update on this subject? Canada was planning on flying an astronaut on an ISS expedition every 3 years. The next slot would be in 2015 and crews will be assigned for the remaining 3 unassigned launches for that year (Soyuz TMA-17M, 18M and 19M), over the next few months I presume. Where does the CSA stand right now?

onesmallstep

A shame if the CSA winds down manned flights to orbit; Canada and her engineers and scientists have been in the US space program for decades (many of those involved in the cancelled Avro Arrow fighter-interceptor went to work for NASA and US space industries). Let's hope someone sees the light, eh?